Yakuza 5 - the latest game in Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's series

Publisher: Sega

Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio

Publication date:  5/12/2012

Platform: PlayStation 4

Breaking away from the series' traditional storyline of having only a single protagonist (though not the first), Yakuza 5 instead introduces five characters who take turns standing at the center, next to each other. Kiryu is also seen with the participation of Saejima, Akiyama, Shinada and Haruka . Each character has their own part of the game's backstory before reuniting at the end in Kamurocho, Tokyo - arguably the most iconic of the Yakuza throughout its history.

I'm not too interested in games that revolve around main characters and their own stories. That's why I often try to find a game that can exploit a variety of character depths, both solo experience, and rely on relationships to make the story creative and engaging, but most of the time. do not have. However, there are exceptions, such as Grand Theft Auto V. And as of today, I have Yakuza 5 to add to my list.

Veteran players of the series are no doubt familiar with Yakuza 5's cast of characters, each with their own distinctive features throughout the series' journey. This provides a lot of material to outline more elements for each of the main characters of Yakuza 5, not to mention that thanks to the relevance of the old plot, this remake can add many related events. Japanese politics and society.

Kiryu fights only to protect his honor and wishes for a simple life like everyone else after running away from the Yakuza and becoming a taxi driver - an ordinary employee who uses his true salary to earn money. financial support for the children at Morning Glory orphanage and hope for a bright future. However, unfortunately, it seems that fate has arranged for Kiryu before everything, he is once again thrown into a conflict with the Yakuza after the disappearance of Tojo Clan President Dojima.

Each character brings a new feeling to the story of Yakuza 5. Each one will have a setting starting in a different city with specially designed minigames, quests and activities. for their story. The more time you spend playing the game, the more you will learn about the journey, about the things the main characters have been through and more about the personality - what makes Yakuza 5 one of the best. The best storyline of the Yakuza to date.

Like Saejima's story, you'll see how he enjoys his last night of freedom before serving two years in prison. Then there's an attack on the prison, the mysterious death of a warden, or a daring sleigh escape and a battle with a ferocious wild bear, all of which are just some of the highlights. in Tiger's adventure as he goes to the mountains to hunt.

The character Haruka, Kiryu's young daughter, is busy pursuing her dream of becoming a famous idol, spending every minute of her training for a contest in the hope of making her stardom dream come true. 

We also have Shinada - a former professional baseball player who became a journalist with a low income, so he was forced to work part-time picking balls at the sports center playground for others to earn extra money. The characters are all very strong and colorful like the city they live in.

While Yakuza 5's innovative storytelling has stood the test of time and the graphics upgrades make certain parts of the game look great, the visual design in particular feels dated, raw. hard and uncomfortable.

The good storyline is also hard to cover for the inherent mechanics of the game. For example, the part where Saejima is being chased in the game is very intense, but making things long and then navigating all activities follows an old motif with old-fashioned shooting maneuvers that turn what is good. become bad.

After spending a few hours experiencing Yakuza 5, you will probably feel how much effort the game developer has put in to create an ever more perfect version like this. Few games can combine a storyline with so many emotions and aspirations that go hand in hand with the completely eccentric and insane activities of the characters without which all of the other elements of the game would obviously be missing. Yakuza 5 will also become meaningless to players.

Yakuza is a less popular and picky game, but that's okay, it's not meant for everyone. However, for those who have always supported and followed the journey of Kiryu and friends, Yakuza 5 Remastered will definitely be a game version that will not let you down.

Marvin Fry

Update 05 January 2022